Counsel for Life

In this episode we talk about our love for gospel-centered counseling, as well as our curiosity about advances in the field of psychology. We discuss the need for biblical counselors to be deeply theological in their scientific inquiry, putting the understanding of Scripture and the attributes of God above all else. We also talk about the potential helpfulness of staying up-to-date on what the fie...

How is God using the biblical counseling movement across the world? Listen as Brad Hambrick and Matias Casco share about a biblical counseling conference and program offered for Spanish-speaking believers who want to walk alongside those who suffer. You have the opportunity to get involved by hosting the conference via simulcast at your church, so visit  https://bradhambrick.com/stscounseling/ , a...

This episode features Dominique Young, author of  God, Where Are You? Unmasking Your Pain, Uncovering His Presence .  Dominique talks to us about her personal struggles with mental health issues and the way God met her in her doubt and increased her faith through that process. Her story is sure to encourage and uplift you as you listen. Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscriber...

In this episode we talk with Bible teacher Yana Conner , author of  Living Beyond Offense: Doing the Hard Work of Forgiveness God's Way . She shares about her journey of relational pain and the principles of forgiveness found in God's Word. Her encouragement is practical and wise for anyone who struggles with difficult relationships. Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our sub...

In this episode we talk with A.C. Seiple , licensed counselor, retreat leader, and researcher. She talks with us about her new book, The Sacred Art of Slowing Down ,  helping us understand how difficult it is to slow down. She offers wisdom in how to explore what's happening inside ourselves in a culture that is so hurried, and she encourages us to do the work of tuning in as we turn to God f...

This episode features Tommy Brown, pastor, speaker, and author of  The Speed of Soul: Four Rhythms for a Quiet Life in a World of Noise . Tommy talks with us about the importance of slowing down and living a more purposeful and intentional life. He offers encouragement for those of us who feel hurried and struggle to find meaning. To learn more about Tommy's ministry, click HERE . Become a fr...

In this episode we talk with Dr. Nate Brooks , Associate Professor of Counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of Disrupted Journey: Walking with Your Loved One through Chronic Pain and Illness .  Dr. Brooks talks with us about his own personal journey with caring for a loved one through chronic illness, and he offers wise encouragement and exhortation for loved ones and...

In this episode we talk with Quina Aragon, spoken word artist and author of the book,  Love Has a Story: 100 Meditations on the Enduring Love of God . Quina shares her story of God's love in the midst of trauma and hardship. She shares some ways that generational trauma, personal victimization, and cycles of sin can hinder our ability to experience God's love, and she offers a message of...

In this episode with talk with Danny Kwon and Monica Kim, co-authors of the book,  Teenagers and Mental Health: A Handbook for Parents, Pastors, and Youth Leaders . Danny and Monica have years of experience working with teens in counseling and pastoral care settings, and they share their wisdom about common struggles faced by teens as well as ways adults can come alongside them to help them naviga...

In this episode we talk with Dr. Mark Mayfield, author, pastor, counselor, and speaker. Dr. Mayfield shares from his new book, The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry: A Practical Guide for Supporting the Church's Mental and Emotional Well-Being . We glean wisdom from Dr. Mayfield on common manifestations of mental and emotional struggles in order to identify symptoms, grow in compassion, and...

In this episode we hear the story of a family who experienced great loss as a result of addiction. Lance and Jeni Ward share memories of their son, as well as the painful season of suffering that led to his passing. In the midst of great grief, this story shines with the hope of the gospel and provides encouragement to those who are suffering unimaginable loss.  To connect with Lance and Jeni and...

This episode features Dave Wiedis,  founder and Executive Director of ServingLeaders Ministries, a ministry that provides pastoral care and counseling for ministry leaders and their families, as well as the broader Christian community. Dave shares about his new book, The Spiritually Healthy Leader: Finding Freedom From Self-Sabotage.   We talk with him about how spiritual healthy leadership is con...

In this episode we talk with Camille Cates, biblical counselor and author of the book,  After Sexual Trauma: Finding Renewal in Christ . Camille shares wisdom with us about how sexual trauma can fracture the way we think about ourselves, others and God, and she offers encouragement for those who struggle to find healing. Her personal journey and her experience as a counselor are sure to be a sourc...

In this episode Eliza talks with Adam Westlake, who shares some of his own story of healing. Adam talks vulnerably about his own struggles with singleness and sexuality, as well as the ways in which he has cultivated a sense of family within the Church. He gives us helpful ways to think about how to come alongside each other in order to forge bonds and grow together in the faith. To learn more abo...

In this episode we talk with Eric Schumacher , counselor and songwriter. Eric shares his story of the grief of miscarriage, and he offers wisdom about how dads can struggle in particular ways when their wives miscarry. Eric gives us helpful wisdom in when and how to seek care for both moms and dads when miscarriage occurs. This is a needed conversation that few people are talking about. Eric has w...

In this episode we talk with Ed Welch , counselor and faculty member at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation. He introduces his new book, Fear is Not a Sin: It Is a Call to Action . This book has a provocative title, and we hear from Ed about why he chose this title and how he wants us to think about fear in relation to our engagement with God and with the Church. He shares wisdom a...

This episode features Dave Harvey, church planter and author of The Clay Pot Conspiracy: God's Plan to Use Weakness in Leaders . Dave shares some of his own story of loss and struggle in ministry, and he offers encouragement and wisdom for those in ministry who struggle with feeling weak and incapable. He also discusses the importance of a culture of humility and dependence on God within mini...

In this episode we talk with David Platt, lead pastor of McLean Bible Church. David shares his extensive wisdom and experience in studying and teaching the Bible, and he offers hope and encouragement for those of us who may struggle with studying the Bible. You can learn more about David's ministry by clicking HERE . Become a friend of the podcast by subscribing! Our subscribers are invited t...

In this episode we talk with Mary Marantz , bestselling author of Dirt and Underestimated , as well as the host of the popular podcast The Mary Marantz Show . Mary talks with us about how we are so prone to hesitate and even shut down as a result of our fears. She offers wisdom in how to pay attention to what our fears tell us and speak back to fear with truth.  Become a friend of the podcast by s...

In this episode Eliza interviews Beth about her new book,  10 Questions About Pain and Suffering: 30 Devotionals for Kids, Teens, and Families.  Beth shares about the difficulty of talking with kids about the tough questions that arise when suffering occurs. She offers wisdom in how we can help kids encounter the God of compassion when they feel pain, as well as how they can love others who are su...

This episode features Kathy Cunningham, counselor and coach who works closely with parents who are struggling in relationships with their adult children. Kathy shares exhortation and encouragement both for parents as well as for adult children, and she gives us helpful framework for how to strengthen these relationships from a Christ-centered perspective. To learn more about Kathy and her ministry...

In this episode we talk with Karrie Hahn , counselor and author of the book, Limping Heavenward: Living by Faith in Comprehensive and Chronic Suffering . Karrie speaks wisely and honestly about her own story of suffering and the ways in which God has spoken to her and shaped her through her suffering. She also shares encouragement for those who experience chronic suffering. Karrie's book has...

For those of you who follow what's happening in the biblical counseling world, you may have heard some discouraging things. In this very special extended episode, we talk with leaders of biblical counseling organizations about the encouraging things happening in the biblical counseling movement. We hear honest conversation from Jonathan Holmes (interim director of the Christian Counseling and...

In this episode we talk with Lainey Greer, founder of Your Body Matters and the creator of Understand Healthy and The Bible and Your Body . She has a deep passion for Christian theology and how we steward our bodies, aiming to equip believers with practical tools to glorify God in their physical health. Lainey shares wisdom to help us understand a biblical perspective on the body, as well as the b...

Welcome to Season 5! In this first episode of the season, we'll talk about how we can work through the fears we sometimes experience when we are trying to implement a new skill in counseling. Whether you're a new counselor or a seasoned one, you will benefit from these tools to help you serve your counselees and stay grounded in truth. If you're not a counselor, we still encourage y...